Branding apparatus.



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ELLIS T. NICKLIN AND JOHN BERGQUIST, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNORS TO THE CUDAHY PACKING 'CO., OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

BRANDING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 28, 1908.

I clear, and exact description of the invention,

such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to branding apparatus and has for its object to furnish a compact, self-contained apparatus for that purpose which is simple in construction, easy to operate, and efficient in use.

The invention, generally speaking, consists of an-o erating table having mounted thereon a yie ding bed or platform and carrying means for reciprocating a die-carrying member provided with means for heating the die.

The nature, characteristic features, and scope of the invention will be more fully understood from the following description of one form of. construction embodying the invention, taken in connection with the ac companying drawings, forming part hereof, and in which,

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of the apparatus as a whole. Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the die-carrying member. Fig. 3 is a view in section of the yielding bed or platform on the line A-A of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a view in section of the cylinder of the fluidpressure motor.

Referring to the drawings, the table 1,. of any suitable material and construction, has mounted thereon suitably shaped standards 2 which carry secured thereto at their upper ends, preferably by bolts 4, the cylinder 3 of the fluid pressure motor. ranged in the cylinder 3 has secured thereto a rod 6, to which is attached the die-carrying member 7.

For the purpose of imparting reciprocatory movement to the die-carrying member 7 any suitable fluid under pressure may be employed. In the drawings is shown a flexible conduit 8 suitably connected to transmit from the flexible conduit 9 connected with a source of supply, (not shown) fluid under pressure to the cylinder 3 through the port 10 which may communicate with under pressure is being admitted to the The piston 5 ar either the upper or lower parts of the cylinder through ducts 11 and 12 respectively, on the operationof the four-way valve 13, as will be readily understood. The valve 13 is constructed and arranged to connect the exhaust port 14 with the duct 12 while fluid u per part of the cylinder, and to connect tfle exhaust port with the duct 11 when fluid under pressure is admitted to the lower part of the cylinder.

In order to conveniently operate the valve 13 it has connected thereto a pinion 15 which meshes with the segmental rack of lever 16, which is pivoted at 17 on the cylinder 3 and suitably connected to one end of the rod 18, which latter has its other end connected to the crank 19 secured to an offset portion of the foot lever 20 journaled in a bearing 21. A spring 22 under tension-is secured to lever 20 and connected to the table, whereby the lever is held normally in a raised position. a

On the top of table 1 is yieldably mounted on springs 25 which rest on a cross piece 26, a platform or bed 23 which has its top sur face flush with the top surface of the table but may be hollowed out in a portion thereof, as at 24, to adapt it to hold to better advantage the article operated on.

The die-carrying member 7 comprises a casing 27 having a sleeve extension 28 at the upper end thereof which is secured to piston rod 6 and is provided with an exterior substantially rectangular rim 29 which has a depending flange 30 on all sides except the rear. A continuous keeping lug 31 is carried by flange 30 on the interior thereof for suporting the die-plate 32 and permitting it to be slid into position from the rear. The dieplate is locked in position by pins 34 and is preferably bowl shaped in its middle portion and provided on the bottom 33 thereof with the brand mark or symbol.

In order to heat the die plate, a mixture of gas and air may be assed into the casing 27 and there burned, t e casing together with the die plate positioned at the bottom thereof, serving as a combustion chamber and the products of combustion passing through an opening 35 in the casing at the rear.

' To furnish a suitable mixture of gas and air in the combustion chamber, flexible conduits 36 and 37 respectively connected with a suitable source of supply of gas and air, are connected with pipes 38 and 39 provided with valves 40 and 41 respectively. The pipes 38 and 39 pass through sleeve 28 of the casing and are connected to the main pipe 42 which has the open end thereof suitably disposed on the interior of the combustion chamber.

, The general construction of the apparatus having been described, the manner of its use and its operation will now be explained.

After a die plate having thereon the de sired brand mark or symbol is slid into position, the valves 40 and 41 are opened and adjusted to obtain a suitable mixture of gas and air in the combustion chamber which when lighted is adapted to heat the die plate. The article to be branded is placed in position on the yielding bed or platform 23 on the top of the table, whereupon the lever 20 may be pressed down by the foot of the op erator, thereby operating the four-way valve 13, through the foot lever, to admit fluid under pressure to the top of the cylinder 3, whereby the piston 5 is forced to move the die carrying member 7 to press the portion of the die-plate carrying the mark or symbol against the article and burn such mark or symbol on the article, which accomplished, the operator permits the spring 22 to raise the lever, whereupon the four-way valve operates to admit fluid under pressure to the bottom of the cylinder and the piston 5 and consequently the diecarrying member 7 is raised, be understood.

While a particular description has been given of one form of apparatus embodying the invention, it is to be understood that it is possible to make various changes and modifications, without departing from the principle and scope of the invention.

WVe claim:

1. In a branding apparatus, the combination with a table, of a yieldable platform thereon to hold an article to be operated on, a die-carrying member positioned above said platform, and a fluid-pressure motor directly connected to said member and controllable in operation by the foot of an operator.

2. In a branding apparatus, the combinaas will readily article to be operated mechanism connected to the tion with a table, of a yieldably ll'lOUlltGd platform thereon to hold an article to be operated 011, a die-carrying member disposed above said platform, said member comprising a combustion chamber, and a fluid-pressure motor operatively connected directly to said member.

3. In a branding apparatus, the combination with a table, of a platform yieldably mounted on said table and adapted to hold an article to be operated on, a foot-controlled fluid-pressure motor disposed above and adjacent to said platform, and a die-carrying member operatively connected. directly to said motor, said member comprising means for holding a die, and a combustion chamber for heating the die.

4. In a branding apparatus, the combination with a table, of a platform yieldably mounted thereon, and adapted to hold an on, a fluid-pressure motor disposed above said platform, a diecarrying member operatively connected directly with said motor and provided with means for carrying a die-plate, means for heating the die-plate, and foot-pressure valve mechanism controllable by an operator to operate said motor to move the die plate to or from the article operated on.

5. In a branding apparatus, the combination with a table adapted to hold an article to be operated on, of a die-carrying member arranged above said table, said member comprising means to hold a die in position and a combustion chamber for heating said die, and a fluid-pressure motor operatively connected directly to said memberto move it to and from the article operated on, said motor controlled in operation by a valve operatively connected to a spring-pressed foot-lever.

In testimony whereof, we have signed our names to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses at county of Los Angeles, State of (ii-alil'ornia, this 5th day of March A. D. 1908.

ELLIS T. NI KLIN. JOHN BERGQUIST. Vitnesses:

ALEXANDER H. LIDDERS, ANNA A. BALTZ.

Los Angeles, 

